The North Is Only An Alaska Cruise Away

Cruising is not just for the beach lovers out there. There are so many commercials that promote southern cruising that it is easy to forget that there is more to cruising than the Caribbean. An Alaska cruise is a once in a lifetime experience that offers spectacular attractions and natural wonders to cruisers. Set sail to the northern most portion of the United States and discover for yourself the beauty and natural atmosphere that cruisers have been experiencing for years.

Why would someone choose to sail on an Alaska cruise instead of going to the south? To begin, beating the heat can be a great incentive. The temperatures in Alaska are far below the normal temps of the southern states, so for natives of the tropical hemispheres, sailing to Alaska can be quite a reprieve. To see all that Alaska has to offer travelers, the absolute best way is by cruise ship. This way, you can experience the wilderness and majesty of an environment nearly untouched by industrialization. Get up close to glaciers, wildlife, and mountains. Since there are tens of thousands of miles of shoreline, you will experience continuous land views throughout the duration of your Alaska cruise.

Of course, there are also the unique excursions to the shore, where you can take guided tours of the El Dorado Gold Mine, the Denali National Park, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and Sawyer Glacier. Exciting Juneau offers a glimpse of the state's capital, while stops in the Denali National park allow you to see the tallest mountain peak on the continent of North America: Mount McKinley. Because Alaska has so much to offer, it is recommended that the inland features be explored in addition to the coastline.

Most cruise itineraries will allow for extended excursions into the state, where you can lodge in the wilderness and get back to nature. Riverboat cruises allow you to lazily float on the river and get deeper inland than the cruise ships can. On an Alaska cruise, this will undoubtedly represent at least one leg of the trip. And on the subject of glaciers, there are so many to see; in fact, most Alaska cruises can get as close as a quarter of a mile from the icebergs that often break free from the glaciers. Glacier Bay, in particular, has been around for a very long time, and in the early decades of the twentieth century, it was declared a national monument. Imagine cruising through the water, looking over the deck to see chucks of pure, unpolluted ice float on by.

Also in the water, you are likely to sight some of Alaska's marine animals. From massive humpback whales to sea otters, killer whales, porpoises and seals, there are a variety of animals showing themselves to cruisers every day. Along the coast, you are likely to witness bears, moose, wolves, mountain goats, and so many species of birds you have never even seen pictures of before. An Alaska cruise is so appealing to those travelers who not only want to get away from the daily grind, but who also want to experience the beauty of a world preserved as it must have been hundreds of years ago.